When unqualified people are appointed to Positions of Power and Authority

Arabs used to say in ancient history: "Death of a thousand notables is better than one scoundrel coming to power."

The Prophet (pbuh) mentioned certain signs that indicate the approach of the end of the world (the end of time) and beginning of the Final Day (Day of Judgement), and these are many. Yet, one of the prominent signs is that power and authority fall into the hands of unfit people of bad character.

All of humanity is under threat and a great danger is posed when non-deserving villains are appointed to positions of authority, leadership, and decision-making; thus directing the affairs of life according to their whims and desires. It is even more dangerous when the good and righteous people (rational men of understanding) seclude themselves, and their opinions are overlooked and ignored if they give their point of view about a dilemma or through consultations concerning a particular crisis.

"Al-Amaanah" (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained), whether big or small, is "Amaanah". Self-administration and investment of individual capabilities is a kind of Amaanah and wisdom; and whoever fails to do what ought to be done, will put himself at risk of  getting perished; because he missed the life train, went astray, got lost and made others following him get lost. House management is "Amaanah" which does not befit anyone who looks forward to take over its responsibilities if he is not eligible.

"Those of you who can afford marriage, let them do it…."(Prophetic Hadith). Directing others and leading them is "Amaanah", protecting them and activating their role…developing their skills and performances, fulfilling their necessities and luxury needs is Amaanah. Not everyone is capable of coping with its responsibilities or carrying its burden. If one feels that the burden is within his scope, he should then advance carefully and takes precautions. Whoever knows his limits and capabilities, did not trespass his boundaries while finding himself unqualified, and apologized for not being able to take over the responsibility or liability to be in charge, then he had saved himself and saved others as well. Whoever is arrogant and self-conceited, and became reckless in assessing his own potential, will perish and cause others whom he leads to perish.

One of the most prominent hallmarks of our time that we live in is that top leaders and

opinion makers in top positions are not qualified to occupy such posts. On the contrary, they gather most undesirable traits for a successful leader by all standards. So where is the "Amaanah"? And what happened to her elder and younger sisters? Such as: perfection and specialization, wisdom, tolerance, foresight, in-depth reflection, continuous learning, and keeping up to date as appropriate?

Is it not dangerous that stupid idiots, crooks and the corrupt take over the responsibility of looking after people's affairs? It is attributed to Imam Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) that he once said: "By Allah, By Allah-twice-digging two ground wells with two needles, and clearing up dust from the land of Hijaz with two feathers, and washing two black slaves to become white, is easier than asking for help from an ignoble or depraved person to pay debts."

Is it not dangerous that we are led by people who are directing our affairs according to their whims and desires to their own advantage, the slaves of personal interests, estates and dollars? How can they free our children and our countries when they are captives; their hands tied up by personal drives and wishes, their feet chained by evil desires, and their heads are bent down by their fantasies and dispositions?

Is it not dangerous for us to be led by our corrupt villains who dispensed with their morals and values in order to occupy high positions? It is as if they believed what one of the poets "Al-Hutaiah" once said, and he was imprisoned by the Caliph 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) for saying it, and that verse was considered as cruel satire:

"Leave the good manners alone, and do not attempt to depart for its sake

And sit down, for you are the one who provides food and clothes"

It is shameful to abandon good manners and humane values if they are able to distribute boxes filled with food stuff just to 'humiliate' others, and send aid for the purpose of enslaving.

Is it not dangerous for us to be led and guided by the most ignorant people who brag about their ignorance and look down upon the people of wisdom and understanding, rational people who have spent their lives undertaking research? As a poet once said:

"One who has brains is wretched in pleasure with his brain,

And the ignorant one is enjoying the pleasure of his wretchedness"

Are we going to remain like this? Just complaining, disapproving and denunciating, and this happened to be the best we can do in most cases? Or rather giving up and submitting which is the current situation of most people?

Or are we going to push forward our elite to occupy positions of leadership and responsibility? As Allah (SWT) said in the Glorious Qur'an:

"And said one of them (the two women): "O my father! Hire him! Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy" (Al-Qasas, verse: 26)

Shall we say that we are the right people for the right place without being afflicted with conceit, or claim qualities that we do not possess, or shall we say as a poet once said:?

"When I saw that ignorance is widely prevalent amongst people,

I assumed ignorance until people thought of me as ignorant"

O Allah! Please make our elite take over the responsibility of our affairs, and oust those who are disabled, ignorant or non-deserving from our establishments and path. There is a lot of goodness in us which is in no need of activation or enabling.

We make the effort and do our best, as Allah (SWT) stated in the Noble Qur'an:

"As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (ie Allah's Religion - Islamic Monotheism) And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinûn (good doers)" (Al-'Ankabout, verse: 69)

The pleasure of Allah (SWT) is what we seek, and He (SWT) guides to the right path.